Erik Smits

I get a kick out of seeing that everybody’s contribution complements those of the others smoothly and seamlessly. So that everybody feels appreciated while we are getting the job done.

Erik knew from an early age he wanted to be an architect, and shortly after graduating from TU Delft he joined ZJA. He thrives in the role of project manager and especially enjoys organizing and managing work processes to ensure that the architectural quality of the design is carried through until the last day of building.

‘If we are working on a big project and the deadline is approaching, and the whole team has to dig deep, I get a kick out of making sure everybody knows exactly why he is doing his part of the job, in seeing that everybody’s contribution complements those of the others smoothly and seamlessly. So that everybody feels appreciated while we are getting the job done. The successful combination of all these different perspectives, including those of external parties, is what I enjoy most in architecture.'

As a child he lived with his parents in the Middle East. ‘I find working with ZJA abroad especially attractive. Circumstances are often entirely different, a lot of unpredictability comes into play. That can be frustrating, but usually I find the work becomes exciting when it all seems impossible.’